Eminent Nigerians including Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, friends, associates and family members of the ace Yoruba actor, Chief Adebayo Faleti have continued to pay glowing tributes on the veteran broadcaster who died on Sunday.
Chief Faleti, a native of Oyo in Oyo State, died around 6.am Sunday morning at the University Teaching Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, DAILY POST had reported.
Among those who have reacted to his death are Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Philippine Dr. Yemi Farounbi, Faleti’s son, Mr. Adeniyi Faleti, two wives Mrs. Moteniola Faleti and Mrs Olubunmi Faleti as well as a former National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Mr. Lanre Ogundipe.
Early callers who throng the Orogun Ibadan residence of the deceased on Sunday are the Project Director, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) Mr. Yanju Adegbite and Chief Bisi Adeshola.
They all described Faleti as a man of many parts.
Mr. Adeniyi Faleti while speaking with journalists at the home of the deceased, described his father as a fulfilled man.
While recounting the last moment of the deceased, Faleti informed journalists that his father died shortly after taking his bath as if he is aware he would soon die.
“He had took a pap and said he want to bath.
“He said he wanted to take pap and I took it to him. He later said he want to bath and I took him to the bathroom as if he knew he would died.
Adeniyi Faleti has earlier announced the death of his father on his Facebook page. He said “An elephant has fallen I lost my dad this morning”.
The two wives, Moteniola Faleti and Olubunmi Faleti also described him as a man who lived a fulfilled life.
Ajimobi described the passing away of Chief Faleti as shocking and devastating.
In a statement made available to DAILY POST Sunday evening by the governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, Ajimobi said he received the news of Pa Faleti’s death with shock and disbelief, describing the deceased as a repository of Yoruba culture and tradition, and a good ambassador of the state.
“Even though Baba Faleti died at the ripe age of 86, his passing away is very unfortunate, disheartening and sad. Part of the things that endeared him to my heart was his simple lifestyle, his dislike for material wealth and commitment to the progress of the Yoruba race.
“Instead of allowing his humble background to serve as a barrier for his career progression, Chief Faleti defied all odds and ensured that he trained himself up to the university level even at a time when education was not too attractive.
“As a pioneer staff of the first television station in Africa, Western Nigeria Television (WNTV), he exhibited his dexterity in broadcasting, while he imparted morals in the younger generation through his various books, poems and acting.
“It was in recognition of his contributions to the development of Yoruba culture and tradition that the Federal Government conferred on him the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).’’
Ajimobi expressed regrets that with Chief Faleti’s demise, the state had lost one of its cultural icons who had brought fame and honour to the state through his various activities in broadcasting, publishing and film industry.
He, however, called on members of his immediate family, friends and associates to celebrate rather than mourn him, having lived a fulfilled life which, he said, was worthy of emulation.
Chief Farounbi in his tribute via his Facebook page “Akinyemi Farounbi” described the deceased as a great playwright, TV Producer, actor, screen play writer, film director and master in rib breaking jokes.
He said “ADEBAYO FALETI..FARE THEE WELL. In the early hours of Sunday 23 July ,my brother and friend, Adebayo Faleti chose to pass away. I know you don’t your things your own way, just like the unique way you wore your cap.
“Your living this long was a surprise to many,but not me. Because I know you are the master of surprises. From a cinema narrator in ministry of Information,you became a Film Editor in WNTV. And when everybody expected you to be satisfied being an ON AIR PERSONALITY ,you went to UI to do a degree.
“You were one of the very few graduates in the Programmes Department of WNTV WNBS. Though a graduate,everything about you was cultural. So many people underestimated you. You started your surprise track with your books that are today respected and renowned. Then you had your Alebiosu Theatre Group that placed you in the rank of the giants like Hubert Ogunde, Kola Ogunmola and Duro Ladipo.
“That made you one of the founding fathers of ANTP. I recall when WNTV WNBS advertised the post of Executive Producer, against all predictions,you came top. You were to pull the same surprise to become Controller of Programmes,against all expectations. You were to become Director of Programmes in Radio OYO. The power that be said you should go. The master of surprises that you are, not only came back,but became the General Manager/Permanent Secretary. You retired and moved into mass mobilization and became a Director.
“You were a great playwright. You were a great TV Producer. You were a great actor. You were a great screen play writer. You were a great film director. You were master in rib breaking jokes. You were a master hunter. You were a progressive minded politician. A very dependable and courageous friend and brother. A down to earth realist. Will I miss you? Yes. Will miss you lots. We shared many things, except hunting, although I specialised in eating your aparo.
“I’m glad that you reached the top in everything you touched. I’m glad you left indelible footprints. I remember when the OON came. I recall the one I loved most..the D.Litt. from Lautech. Let me just stop. Adieu. Good night. Safe journey”.
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